I’ve had to learn this one the hard way: having a good idea does not automatically mean people will get behind it.

For years, I often went straight to the decision maker, trusted the quality of my thinking to do the work, and skipped the slower job of bringing people with me. Sometimes that was impatience. Sometimes it was confidence. And sometimes, if I’m honest, it was arrogance.

In this episode, I’m looking at the five bases of power and what they teach us about influencing upwards.

We’ll explore where your influence actually comes from, why expert knowledge alone is rarely enough, and how mapping the power dynamic can completely change the way you approach a high-stakes conversation.

Highlights:

(01:30) - Why a strong idea can still fail if you haven’t brought people with you

(02:26) - The five different types of power shaping influence at work

(03:21) - Why titles, rewards and consequences matter more than we like to admit

(04:10) - The two forms of power you can rely on when influencing someone more senior

(05:20) - The mistake of trying to win the argument instead of building the relationship

(06:14) - The questions to ask before your next high-stakes conversation

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio